A touch of frosting

Looking out of the window this morning, I saw that little layer of fresh snow on the bushes in our front yard. Light wet snow was still falling, but that did not stop me from grabbing the camera and scanning for some nice images popping up through the lens.

Still outside, I noticed the bunch of tulips on our living room table. Time for a little impromptu composition!

Gear notes: D700, 70-200VR

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A horse with a name

When I take my usual walk along the fields in my neighborhood, I pass by this patch of land that is home to two fine horses. Most of the time they are just grazing, completely ignoring any passer-by. Once in a while they are more curious and will come to see what that funny creature behind the barbed wire is all about.

On a cold but sunny afternoon

Not long ago, when the fields were still covered by snow, I managed to get their attention long enough to shoot their portraits. My 180mm f/2.8 prime was just perfect for the job.

Micky kept a reasonable distance, as usual. An overcast sky and the snow blanket on the ground produced great soft lighting.

Freggle, always more intrigued by what’s happening, let me capture this great shot. No, I did not bring along a black backdrop, nor did I manipulate the picture in Photoshop.
Freggle gracefully posed right in the ‘doorway’ of their small shed.

Freggle, keeping a keen eye on the photographer

How do I know the horses’ names? Quite simple: that information is to be found on the side wall of the shelter. It also lists dates for a companion that – I guess - sadly is no longer around…

How often do you run into animals that come with EXIF data?

Gear notes: D700, 180/2.8, 28-200G

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Generations II

I have blogged before about my grandfather, who worked as a professional photographer from the mid 1920’s until his retirement in the 1960’s. Digging into the family archives has revealed some more pictures from these early days.

This is my grandfather, proudly posing in front of his shop, in 1926. As you can see in the background, formal portraits made at all kinds of (family) occasions were big then.

A typical showcase of ‘portfolio’ portraits and various products for sale, from around 1936.

And this is how the shop looked from the inside, in the same period. This was the realm of my grandmother (at right), here assisting some customers that perhaps walked into the impromptu shooting session…

Just a few years later, my father would start his apprenticeship there. But that’s a story for another blog… (to be continued)

Gear notes: long forgotten

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